EMAIL: smckay1@csc.uvic.ca
NAME: Scott McKay
TOPIC: Imaginary Worlds
COPYRIGHT: I SUBMIT TO THE STANDARD RAYTRACING COMPETITION COPYRIGHT.
TITLE: Return To Earth: 2053
COUNTRY: Canada
WEBPAGE: gulf.uvic.ca/~smckay1
RENDERER USED: povray for windows
TOOLS USED: Only POV
HARDWARE USED: AMDK6-300
IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
The following is a collection of excerpts from Captain Mckay's Log entries from the Space Colony Vessel "Nina":

January 4rth, 2023 - It is our twelve day in space and I am proud to report that we have attained our goal velocity to reach the Alpha Centauri system in approximately 15 years. It is going to be a long voyage. However I am thankful to have my wife Arisa and our daughter Andaluca abord for the voyage. She's only four years and the youngest of our crew of 30 but I still believe she's the bravest one of all. 


September 12, 2038 - We have entered orbit of the second planet to this sun. It is greater than any world I could have imagined. Smaller than earth with 1/8 the gravity and our probe has reported that the air is breathable and the vegetation and soil on this planet is compatible with our own seeds on board. I have completed designing the vegetation barriers so as to preserve this planets natural ecosystem. 
     I am eagerly awaiting setting foot on the planets surface. Anadaluca and her husband Paul are not as open to the idea of leaving the Nina. I understand their agraphobia. This place seems more like home than my memories of Earth. 
    We only have two weeks to decide who is going to stay with the colony and who will return home. Arisa has decided to return with me. 


2053 - At first I chose not to acknowledge what had been reported from long range sensors. When we entered radio and telecomunication signal ranges I believed that it was our equipment that was faulty and unable to pick up any signals. But as I look out onto the planet I remember as earth, Arisa and I have silently come to accept that we and the rest of our crew will never see our children again.
     Those of use who have chosen to travel in stasis will be terminated. Without any source of water to refuel I don't know what will come of the rest of us.


DESCRIPTION OF HOW THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED:
     I am still a technical novice but I hope I have created a better image through storytelling. A dark sphere, and cracked red lava surface, and a clear dark cloudy sky representing the once strong and protective atmosphere and a subtle dark moon rising.